Financial Services

Perth-based Coal of Africa Ltd has entered into an agreement with a joint venture held by Rio Tinto and Kwezi Group of South Africa to exchange certain coal tenements.

Perth-based international office equipment financing company ThinkSmart Ltd will expand its reach in the Europe and New Zealand markets after agreements were secured with Media-Saturn France and Dick Smith Electronics.

Four Midwest Corporation Ltd directors have decided to accept Sinosteel Corp's takeover offer, a day after its merger with Murchison Metals Ltd was called off.

Crescent Gold Ltd shares have sunk to a 12-month low after the gold producer suspended its Laverton operation in Western Australia following problems with the processing plant.

Murchison quits bid with shot at Sinosteel; No need for exporters to fear: Garnaut; Pratt accuses ACCC of 'abuse of power'; Veteran brokers drive $150m takeover by Bell; Shock downgrade rattles market

Despite lower demand levels, hotel room rates have hit a record high, with Western Australia proving to be the nation's third most expensive.

Michael Kiernan has released details of a $30 million funding package to save Monarch Gold Mining Company Ltd, which includes a $25 million capital raising and an interest-free $15 million loan provided by the Kiernan family.

Perth-based Woodside Petroleum Ltd has alerted its shareholders of a possible unsolicited offer following a request for the company's list of shareholders.

Engineering company Neptune Marine Services Ltd is set to capitalise on the $40 billion European subsea market following its acquisition of Aberdeen-based Subsea Engineering Services Ltd.

GRD Ltd has promoted Malcolm Brown to chief executive at its subsidiary GRD Minproc, while continued growth has boosted its order book to $4.65 billion.

The falling nickel price has hit Perth companies Fox Resources Ltd and Australian Mines Ltd, which have been forced to either wind down operations or defer capital development.

VDM Group announced today the acquisition of WA-based engineering consultancy BCA Consultants at a purchase price of $5.2 million.

BHP takes more time to get Europe's bid blessing; Business warned no end in sight to lending squeeze; Unis 'must train boom workers'; Chimaera, ANZ face legal stoush; Rudd wavers on emissions starting date

Pivot Group chairman Peter Laurance has continued his acquisition of Axiom Properties Ltd's shares with the latest raid boosting his interest to 30.5 per cent.

Speculation is mounting that BankWest could be sold by its parent company HBOS Plc, according to a report.

Billionaire Clive Palmer's plans to raise $5 billion by floating his company Resources Development International will see an alliance forged and funding for MEO Australia Ltd's Western Australian projects.

Malaga-based Automotive Technology Group Ltd has entered into an agreement for the potential establishment of a manufacturing facility that would produce one million units each year of its patented Sprintex technology.

West Perth-based Beadell Resources Ltd will have to put its goal of stepping into the miner's sphere on hold, after turbulent market conditions stopped the company from raising equity to purchase a share of the Cracow gold mine.

Resources slump leads market carnage; Palmer planning $5b float; Eastwood set to call time after 45 years; US regulators clear BHP Rio bid, now for Europe; CBH looks to double share of exports

Former technology company Wavenet International Ltd has joined the rush by local investors seeking to exploit booming coal prices, agreeing to purchase a stake in four coal tenements in Queensland.

Two days after stopping the pseudo privatisation of the state's $9 billion superannuation fund, treasurer Eric Ripper and his government have yet to reveal significant detail on why they acted at the last minute.

A corporate watchdog has banned Byford resident David Roy from providing financial services for seven years, after he provided inappropriate advice to clients over the failed Westpoint group.

Explorer TNG Ltd can close its chapter on the Opes Prime saga after receivers of the collapsed stockbroker finalised the sale of nearly 17 million shares.

Gold miner Norton Gold Fields Ltd will drop its litigation claims against Alinta for lost production arising from the gas crisis, as power prices agreed to by both companies return to normal levels.

After six years at the helm, Wesfarmers Ltd chairman Trevor Eastwood will retire from the position at the company's annual general meeting in November.

Carbon scheme 'may kill' exporters; Receivers go into Elderslie; Spending hit exposes Lew's target; St George Westpac merger uncertain; RCR chief resigns as woes take toll

When asked what he considered was the anniversary date of last year's Coles Group Ltd takeover, Wesfarmers Ltd managing director Richard Goyder nominates July 21 as the most appropriate.

WEST Perth-based minerals company, Murchison United NL, is set to be repositioned as a global uranium company after unveiling a strategic alliance with industrial and nuclear energy giant Areva NC.

The takeovers scene in Western Australia has changed significantly during the past year, with the ongoing boom boosting the stocks of local players and prompting an increasing presence from international investment banks.

Sanderson takes on agent general role OUTGOING Fremantle Ports chief executive Kerry Sanderson (pictured) has been appointed as the new Western Australian representative in Europe.

Plans to turn over ownership of the state's $9 billion superannuation manager GESB to 295,000 members have been thrown into disarray, with the body and the government apparently unable to conclude a deal at the 11th hour.

ARC Energy's erstwhile substantial shareholder and its corporate thorn in the side, Mineralogy, finally announced a notice of ceasing to be a substantial shareholder in Arc on June 11, fully six months after it began to sell its holding last December.